TikTok is introducing a new feature that allows them to reduce the volume of AI-made videos appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the platform disclosed that it currently hosts over 1 billion AI-generated clips.
Pilot Phase and Launch
The new functionality is in a pilot phase over the following weeks before a full-scale rollout. This development coincides with a increase in content created by AI, driven by recent video-generation tools.
AI Proliferation Online
Studies have shown that almost a tenth of the fastest-growing video streams on another major platform only show content made by AI. A considerable share of this content is considered “AI slop”, a term for substandard, factory-style content that is frequently absurd or dreamlike.
Based on user feedback that numerous viewers appreciate content produced via AI tools, including AI artwork to science explainers, and we aim to give people the ability to adjust the amount of that, depending on their own preferences,” said a company executive.
Scale of AI Content
TikTok shared that there are currently 1.3bn videos on its network tagged as AI-generated. In total, in excess of 100 mn pieces of content are added to the platform daily, making AI-generated material a minor portion of its total content library.
Customizing Your Feed
Users will be capable of decrease or raise the amount of artificial media they view by using the content preference setting in the platform and picking the AI content topic. Additional categories that currently be adjusted under the setting include news, style, aesthetics, and dance.
AI Disclosure Rules
Its guidelines require users to identify lifelike AI-made content, and it forbids harmful deepfakes of well-known individuals or emergencies. Any authentic-looking AI-generated clip that is without a tag can be removed under its user guidelines.
Furthermore, the app will from now on attach an “AI-made” label to content produced via its built-in AI features, or detected by an collaborative effort for spotting AI-generated material. This action is designed to stop users from attempting to bypass the tagging system.
AI Literacy Programs
TikTok is additionally introducing a $2m educational fund for professionals and institutions to create informative material about ethical AI use. This program will support non-profit groups specializing in training programming and robotics.
Moderation Strategy
The platform has defended its safety measures, amid debate over plans to lay off a large number of safety staff in Britain. TikTok is set to cut 439 jobs in its user protection division in the UK capital, with trade unions and digital protection specialists raising concerns that humans are being replaced by machine-led review.
A senior executive explained that human moderation would remain essential, but automated tools can safeguard staff by filtering out the most distressing content prior to it has to be seen by staff. TikTok stated a 76% decrease in shocking and graphic content reviewed by human moderators over the last 12 months due to reliance on its automated systems.
It is vital to combine people and machines to keep the platform safe,” she said. “We’ll have people as part of that process, but we further consider it’s extremely critical to minimize viewing of unsafe media as swiftly, which is why a lot of the machine support is proving valuable operate efficiently.”
